Did you know?
Certain world-class players can put up to 9000rpm of spin on table tennis balls.
Table tennis balls arent really hollow; they are pressurised slightly with a gas.
More than 30 table tennis companies exist around the world, making a full line of accessories from bats to tracksuits.
In Europe and Asia, table tennis is big business and is very popular overall. Top players are sponsored just like players are sponsored in the USA by shoe and clothing companies.
Certain governments (like Sweden and China); actually pay their top players just to practice.
In China, most children are evaluated for certain talents early on. If they are found to be particularly proficient at something, like gymnastics or table tennis, they receive rigorous training in that area from a very early age.
Table tennis is the most popular racquet sport in the world and ranked second overall in terms of participation. Over 10 million players compete in sanctioned tournaments each year.
A modern table tennis match at the elite level lasts on average about 30 minutes. Top players often smash the ball at speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour.
How many balls can two players hit back and forth in 60 seconds? The current record is 173 set by Jackie Bellinger and Lisa Lomas in 1993.
